Gohmert: Media Should Investigate Muslim Brotherhood Influence

Rep. Louie Gohmert, R-Texas, urged the mainstream media Thursday to investigate allegations that the Muslim Brotherhood is gaining influence in the government.

Gohmert and four other GOP congressmen, including Minnesota Rep. Michele Bachmann, sent letters last month to five federal agencies demanding probes of a conspiracy by the Muslim Brotherhood and other Islamist causes to affect U.S. foreign policy. They singled out State Department official Huma Abedin.

The mainstream media appears to be more interested in attacking him than investigating the claims, Gohmert said on the House floor, Politico reports. "I hope and pray that the mainstream media will get past the enjoyment of vilifying and trying to destroy the messenger and look at the message."

Instead of investigating themselves, reporters are merely asking politicians for their opinions on the issue, Gohmert said. He hopes journalists won't be satisfied with the response, "Well, gee, I don't think there's anything to them."

A thorough probe would live up to "the once proud journalist's tradition that was here in America," Gohmert said.

Republicans have offered mixed reactions to the accusations. Sen. John McCain of Arizona, House Speaker John Boehner, and Americans for Tax Reform President Grover Norquist sharply denounced them. But House Majority Leader Eric Cantor and former presidential candidate Newt Gingrich defended Bachmann.